Council rejects Griffith brothel bid

The Griffith City Council has reaffirmed its decision to reject an application for the city's first brothel.

Sky Night Angels was refused approval last year because of the proximity of a dance studio used by children but there were no public objections when the plan was readvertised in June.

Griffith resident Damien, who does not want to give his surname, says he has been helping the applicant and there is good reason to approve the brothel.

"It is a legal, legitimate business and it will create employment and also it will get any workers out of working from motels or places like that where's the risk of security risks, of rape and stuff like that," he said.

After a lengthy report on the issue for the council meeting last night, Griffith Mayor Mike Neville says the brothel was refused in a six to three vote.

Councillor Neville says the applicant did not attend last night but has previously indicated an appeal is likely.

He says the decision was made on planning, not moral, grounds because the proposed brothel is within 200 metres of a dance studio used by women and girls.

He says the brothel at that location does not fit the council's restricted premises policy.

"The policy is there and we need to adhere to that," he said.

"The right of the applicant was to ask for a review, that was done and council's reaffirmed its original decision.

"I know the debate is, there's the attempt at the moral side of it. The fact there are a number of ads in newspapers daily and weekly for those type of services and the argument there may be illegal brothels operating within motel franchises and others," he said.

"I guess you can always draw that bow but the end of the day, the decision was made by council on the current policy and councillors agreed to stand by that."